UCF’s Regional Campuses has launched some new initiatives to reach more students in the surrounding counties and expand some traditional services offered on the main campus.
Student services and advising teams have partnered with main campus offices on programs such as academic skills workshops through the Student Academic Resource Center and a career fair at the UCF Daytona Beach campus. The academic workshops include such topics as improving time management and overcoming test anxiety.
“Regional Campuses is committed to meeting the students where they are,” said Jeff Jones, vice provost of Regional Campuses, which oversees 10 Central Florida sites. “This means that we are providing services to the students both at their location and at their level of need.”
In addition to Regional Campuses staffers and resources at sites to assist students, the office also has a virtual presence so students can benefit online.
Regional Campuses has started live streaming some of the events on the main campus for viewing at the other sites, such as diversity initiatives, the president’s open forum, and student-organization orientation.
Skype is now available for advising at all 10 Regional Campuses. Student Services professionals and advisors have been trained to use the system, which has been particularly helpful for students with special needs such as wheelchair mobility and sight impairments, the staff says.
Another new advising initiative is a chat service being piloted with students in the Bachelor of Applied Science program.
“By meeting students where they are, we are providing students access — access to services and resources that they might not have otherwise,” Jones said.
Pam Cavanaugh, assistant vice provost for student services and advising, said that in previous years Regional Campuses has offered some online tutoring, but this expanded program is an opportunity to elevate the academic skills and workshops.
“It is a way for us to help extend academic excellence to the regions,” she said.